Dispensing carton



Ap 15, 1947- w. J. WELLS DISPENSING CARTON Filed July I0, 1943 512017101 -Mu'mn .1 Wins Patented Apr. 15,1947

DISPENSING CARTON William J. Wells, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to F. N.

Burt Company, Inc., Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application'luly 1 0, 1943, Serial No. 494,131 4 Claims. (Cl. 222-561) Thi invention relates to improvements in cartons, ordinarily constructed of sheet fibrous material such as paper, cardboard, fiberboard, and

the like, and more particularly to an improved closure or dispensing device for dispensing the carton contents. The invention relatesfurthermore to an improved method of constructing the carton closure.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved carton with closure therefor that can be economically manufactured in large quantities ,by automatic machinery, and that i adapted for manufacture from fibrous materials of the nature mentioned, thus avoiding the use of metals or other materials needed in the war effort.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing closure for cartons, adapted to contain toilet powders or other comminuted materials, that is substantially sift-proof and, moreover, is capable f manufacture in large quantity production ,by a practical and economical method so as to assure tight substantially siftproof joints.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved carton closure that is substantially sift-proof and can be manufacturedsubstantially as a separate unit, and then attached in operative position onthe carton, as for example toone of the carton closure fiaps.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved method of making dispensing closures for cartons of the class mentioned. whereby the movable closure member is permitted to remain permanently in the position from which it is cut or otherwise severed from a sheet member, thus assuring a perfectly good and tight fit to make an anti-sift structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved dispensing closure of the class mentioned that can be made from a single integral sheet or blank of cardboard or like material, scored to form certain of the operative parts and i to provide for folding over of one part of the blank into overlapping relation with another part.

be exemplified in the article and method hereinafter disclosed, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more comprehensive disclosure of the reference is had to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, and to Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in the following detailed description of'an illustrative but preferred embodiment of the invention, and will be in part obvious as the disclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises angarticle of manufacture having the features, properties, and relation of elements, and also comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a carton embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing the closure device in a different operative position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on the lin 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 isia similar vertical section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the blank of sheet material partially formed or processed for making the carton closureunit;

Fig. '7 is a bottom perspective view showing the closure unit substantially completed;

Fig.8 is a perspective view showing the underside-of the blank shown in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the Referring to the drawing for a description of the embodiment of the invention there shown, the carton i0 may be of any known preferred construction, but is preferably made of fibrous sheet material such as paper, cardboard, fiberboard and the like, and may be of any desired shapeand size. This carton may be used for containing powders of various kinds such as toilet powders or similar finely divided material that is ordinarily dispensed or sifted in smallquantitles from the carton as desired for use. The carton III as shown is provided with short closure flaps ll connected for swinging movement to the upper edges of the opposite carton walls, and

. similar longer closure flaps i2 similarly connected container substantially as shown in Figs. 3, 4

and 5. In their normal closing positions these of such steps to each of .the others, which will overlapping flaps are firmly attached together by glue or other adhesive so as to make a substantially sift-proof end wall for the carton.

The opposite or bottom end of the carton may The closure for the carton embodies aclosure unit which may be applied in operative posiunitary blank ll of sheet material, such as cardboard, fiberboard, or like fibrous material. This blank is preferably of somewhat better quality of stock than that used for the carton walls, a solid sulphite or manila board being found to be satisfactory for the purpose.

The blank ll, of appropriate size and shape for application to the desired carton, is processed or formed to complete the closure unit which may then be applied to the wall of the container and attached thereto as described. The blank 11, as shown in Fig. 6, is cut or scored along spaced substantially parallel longitudinal lines 3, and along transverse lines I9 and 2|], the cuts or incisions extending substantially through the blank to substantially separate the inner parts of the blank forming a closure member 2| and an extension part 22. This separating of the closure member 2| and the extension 22 thereof from the surrounding parts of the blank may be accomplished in any well known manner as by die cutting, or cutting the material with a sharp cutting edge of a cutting tool so as to avoid removing any of the blank materia1 at the cuts, and avoiding crushing or distorting the blank material along the cuts or incisions. Although the incisions l8, I9 and 20 extend substantially through the material of the blank the-severed closure member 2| and the part 22 are retained in their original position in the blank. The closure member 2| thus remains permanently in its original position in the blank, ordinarily not being removed during the process of manufacture; while the part 22 remains temporarily in position but is later removed and discarded.

It is noted that the blank incisions are preferably made with an appropriate implement, such as a sharp edge tool or die, so as not to crush or otherwise deform the fibers of the blank at the adjacent severed edges. Also, due to the character of the blank material used, there is some resiliency of the severed material so that, after the severing operation, the parts resume substanformed by the cut-outs. This not only makes tight, sift-proof joints at the opposite longitudithat the adjacent sides or walls of the incisions around the closure member 2| are substantial counter-parts and complementary with each other to make tight sift-proof joints, and also to provide-sliding contact surfaces at the longitudinal edges of theeclosure member, whereby the latter is supported and guided in its longitudinal opening and closing movements.

. At the time of making the incisions l8, l9 and 20, incisions 23 are also made within theclosure member 2 I so as to cut out the part 24 which may later be removed to form a handle or operating opening 25."

Also, the blank I! is scored at the opposite side or area thereof from the closure 2| to form longitudinal incisions 26 and transverse incisions 21 to cut out the blank part 28, when removed, forms an operating access opening 29 Similarly an incision 30 is made in the blank to remove the section 3| so as to provide the dispensing opening I5 through this part of the blank, Also, preferably at the time that other incisions are made, the blank I1 is scored or cut to form the substantially straight incision 32 extending substantially across the blank midway between its opposite edges. This incision 32 extends only partly through the blank leaving an integral portion of the blank material, thus providing a hinge 32a upon which nal edges of the closure member, but assists in retaining the closure member in its original position in the blank after the severing operation and during further processing. Also, it will be noted the blank can be folded along this line.

After the incisions have been made in the blank H, as above described, this blank is folded on the hinge 32a so as to cause one half I'la of the blank to assume overlapping relation with the other half |'|b-, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. These overlapping parts Fla and Nb are secured. together as by means of a coating of adhesive 33 extending entirely around the marginal portion of the blank part ||b as shown in Fig. 8, thus firmly attaching the two sections of the blank together and making a tight sift-proof joint.

This manner of attaching the blank sections ||a and Nb together withoutintervening space therebetween also provides a reinforced substantially solid laminated structure for the closure member or unit |5 which is thus sumciently strong and rigid for application in the form of an independent member in operative position on the carton. When the parts are thus assembled, the cut-out parts at 22, 24, 28 and 3| formed by the incisions are removed entirely from the blank and discarded, or some or all of these parts may be earlier removed, if desired, but the part forming the closure member 2| remains in its original position in the blank. The removal of the part 28 provides the access opening 29 through which the handle or operating aperture 25 can be reached with the finger tip or with a pointed instrument for moving the closure member 2| into opening or closing positions. Thus the operating handle 25 lies at all times both in the open and closed positions of the closure member, wholly in the plane of the closure member 2| and wholly withinthe operating access opening 29. The operating handle is thus always positioned for convenient operative access while at the same time no parts thereof project above the upper surface of the closure unit which is thus free from objectionable projecting parts. The re moval of the extension or part22' provides a space 34 as shown in Fig. '7 so that the closure member 2| can be moved or slid longitudinally in the opening in the blank formed by cutting out the parts 2| and 22.

It will be noticed that the closure member 2| remains continuously in its original position in normal closing the plane of the blank and at the opening formed by cutting out the parts of the blank, It will also be noticed that the closure member 2|, in its position for closing the dispensing openings, is in the identical positio'nthat it originally occupied in the blank. Accordingly, the closure member 2| exactly fills the opening in which it is mounted, and tight, anti-sift joints at the edges thereof are assured. There is no danger that-a closure member cut from some other blank can be inserted in operative position.

A preferred manner of removing the scored. or cut-out sections22, 24 and 28 of the blank is as follows: After the die cutting has been completed and the two opposite sections 11a, l'lb of the blanks folded over on the hinge 32a and adhesively attached together, as above described and asindicated in the dot and dash lines in positions, and loosene'ss and accidental move-e ments thereof are avoided.

Since-certain changes in carrying out the above method; and certain modifications in the product pensing closure member in the form of a separate Fig. 6, the two sections 24 and 28 will simulta- I neously be forcedout of their original positions by exerting pressure by any appropriate instrumentality upon the section 24, thus forcing out or removing both sections 24 and- 28 at the same time. Thus not only is time saved in manufac ture of the closure member'or unit, but it is bet ter adapted for manufacture by automatic ma chinery, and dangerof accidentally knocking out structural unit and attached as a complete unit, in operative position on the outside of said overlapping end closure flapsto form a dispensing device, said separate structural unit including a sheet member having a transverse weakened fold j line on'which it is folded to bring opposing secthe closure member 2| is materially; decreased.

When the folded blank sections l'la, I'Ib are superposed in overlapping relation as described,

the removable cut-out section or closure member 2| is supported and steadied'by the overlapping parts so as to be less likely tobe accidentally displaced or knocked out when theremaining cutout sections are being removed. When the blank is thus folded overit will be noted that the section 28' lies directly opposite and adjacent to the section 24 so that this removingoperation can be easily accomplished. This removal of the section 28 leaves the access opening 29 in the blank directly adjacent to the die cut section 22 of the blank part Mb. The cut-out section or part I 22 is then quickly and easily-removed and separated from the blank by introducing an appropriate tool or instrumentality through the opening 29 and exerting pressure on the surface of the part 22 to remove'it from its original posiand closing tions thereof into overlapping superposed relation, attaching means attaching .said sections to-' gether in their overlapping relationso as to form a substantially solid reinforced laminated struc-' ture for said closure member or unit, the first of said sheet sectionshavin'g a closure mounting opening therethrough, a sheet closure member mounted in said mounting opening for movement into-opening and closing positions and having an operating handle, said sheet closure member lying with its plane substantially, in the plane of the said first-sheet section, said mounting opening being larger than the sheet closure member to provide for movements of the latter into opening positions wholly within the plane of the said first sheet section, the second of said sheet sections having an operating opening posi. tion'ed in aligned relation with said closure mount- 7 ing opening but having-at least one of its edges tion in the blank. This procedure permits the "closure section 2| to remain continually'in its original position in the blank, thus assuring a perfect fitof the closure 2| in the blank opening in which it moves into opening and closing positions. The die cut section 3| may be removed at any convenient time.

When the closure unit [5 has been fabricated as above described, it .is coated with a band of adhesive 35 on its under surface and adhesively attached in operative position on the outer surface of the outer flap l2 of the carton. The adhesive 35 extends all the way around the margin of the closure unit so as to make a tight antisift joint. When the parts are thus assembled,

it will be seen in Fig. 5 that the part lla ofthe blank overlaps the outer marginal edges of the closure member 2| so as to provide a tight sliding fit for the opening and closing movements of the closure member. Due to the fact that the closure 2| is cut from the sheet ,or blank I], it

will be precisely the same thickness as thev part l'lb. By means of this arrangement tight joints at the upper and lower surfaces of the margins of the closure member 2| will be assured. Also, by virtue of this arrangement the sliding closure member 2| is frictionally held in open or closedinset from the adjacent edge of the mounting opening whereby the adjacent sheet material overlies a margin of said movable sheet closure member to form aretainer for the latter, said operating opening being positioned to provide operating access to said operating handle both in the open and closed positions of said sheet closure" member.

2.A method of making a carton closure, in-

eluding: making incisions substantially through a single, integral sheet blank to cut out, within the blank bounds a plurality of cut-out sections of the blank including a closure member and a removable extensionthereof, but permitting the cut-out closure member with its extension to remain in its original positionin the blank, making second incisions substantially through the. blank at aremote part'thereof from said first mentioned incisions to cutout a further section of blank to form an operating access opening but permitting the said further cut-out section of blank to. remain" temporarily'in its original position, folding said sheet; blank along a transverse line intermediate said flr'stand second incisions to bring one section-of the folded blank into superposed overlapping relationwith thesecond section thereof with certain of said cut-out sections substantially' in superposed-relation, knock.- ing out saidremovable extension and said further cut-out blank section after said folded-sections are superposed in overlapping relation to form operation space for said closure member and to form an operatingv access opening for the closure member, and securing said folded sections of the blank together thus to form a complete separate closure unit adapted for attachment in operative position to a carton.

3. A method of making a carton closure, including: making incisions substantially through a substantially solid reinforced laminated structure for said separate structural unit, the first of a single integral sheet blank to cut out, within 1 the blank bounds a plurality of cut-out sections of the blank including a closure member, a handle forming section therefor and a removable extension thereof, but permitting certain of said cut-out sections to remain in original position in the blank, making second incisions substantially through the blank at a remote part thereof from said first mentioned incisions to cut out a further section of blank to form an operating access opening but permitting the said further cut-out section of blank to remain temporarily iif its original position, weakening the 'blank along a transverse line intermediate said first and second incisions, folding said sheet blank along said weakened line to bring one sheet section of the folded blank into superposed overlapping relation with the second section thereof with certain of said cut-out sections thereof substantially in superposed relation, simultaneously knocking out certain of said superposed cut-out sections, securing said folded sections of the blank together'thus' to form a complete separate closure unit adapted for attachment in operative position to a carton, and attaching the unit thus formed in operative position on the wall of a carton.

4; In a dispensing closure for a carton, in combination, end closure flaps respectively connected to sides of the carton and turned inwardly into overlapping relation and attached together to form an end wall structure, a unitary dispensing closure member in the form of a separate structural unit and attached as a complete unit in operative position on theoutside of said overlapping end closure flaps inform a dispensing -device, said separate structural unit includin a sheet member havinga transverse weakened fold 4 line on which it is folded to bring opposite sections thereof into overlapping superposed relation,- attaching means attaching said sections together in their overlapping relation so as to form said sheet sections having a-closure mounting opening there through,,a sheet closure member mounted in said mounting opening for movement into opening and closing positions and hav-- ing an operating handle lying wholly in the plane of said movable sheet closure member in both the open and closed positions thereof, said movable sheet closure member lying with its plane substantially in the plane, of said first sheet section, said mounting opening being larger than the movable sheet closure to provide for movements I of the latter into opening and closing positions wholly within the plane of said firstsheet section, the'second of said sheet sections having an operating opening positioned in aligned relation with said closure mounting opening but having at least one of its edges inset from the adjacent edge of the mounting opening whereby the adjacent sheet material overlies a margin of said movable sheet closure'member to form a'retainer for the latter, said operating handle lying wholly within said operating opening both in' the open and closed positions ofsaid movable sheet closure member and being exposed through said'operating opening for operating access both in the open and closed positions of said movable sheet closure member. I

WILLIAM J. WELLS.

, REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

,, UNITED STATES PATENTS Australian Aug, 16, 1930 

